Ms. Belinda Stronach

[FlamesAddiction]

Martin is going to step down as leader of the Liberals. Not sure if it's been mentioned yet.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060124/...der_sidebar_dc

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Ideologically, the Liberals are closer to the Conservatives than they are the NDP on many issues.

Greens are considered leftist, but are very right economically. The Bloq doesnt fit in any pidgeonhole, and they arent about to be "united" with anyone.

It was only the CA and the PCs who were very similar in ideology. It is the perception that is the issue, not the politics.

The Bloc is actually closest to the NDP, they are just for provincial run of social services instead of federal.

[JimmytheT]

Belinda won her riding. I won't comment on the intelligence of Ontarians though.

Unbelievable really; I guess the Liberals would have to start murdering these voters children to not vote for them, but even then I have my doubts.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by FireFly

The Bloc is actually closest to the NDP, they are just for provincial run of social services instead of federal.

True, but if Canada shifted radically left, the Bloq would shift radically right, just to differentiate themselves.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by JimmytheT

Unbelievable really; I guess the Liberals would have to start murdering these voters children to not vote for them, but even then I have my doubts.

what would rob anders have to do for people not to vote for him, wear a pointy white hood and cloak in public?

[TimSJ]

so with Martin going away does Belinda take a run at the leadership of the liberals?

[Resolute 14]

Knowing her, she probably will. If the Liberal party is smart though, they stay the hell away from her though.

[Go4Gold]

Puzzeled in Calgary?

Here is a question: Albertans have been calling out saying that a change in the government is needed, and I am not one to argue about that, but what about Alberta's government? Since 1967 Alberta has voted the Conservatives, where is the change that is waaaaay overdue? No corruption? Whatever, anyone remember the money (100's of millions) missing from the Heritage Fund? They say that the Fund hasn't performed to expectations....

So what happens now? By the looks of the highlights in the post election, looks like there is skeptasism as to who is going to caucus with Harper, he needs to shed lightly and have a mixed membership on his side. Too many easterners and the west will cry, too many westerners and the east will cry. My prediction... the conservatives is a loose knit group and will self destruct from pressure.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Sorry Go4Gold, but we're talking two very different situations between federal and provincial politics.

Why is a change needed Federally? Because the Liberals have lost the trust of many voters and the west is tired of seeing a party who's power base is concentrated in Ontario continue to be elected after several scandals.

Why isn't a change needed in Provincial politics? Because people in Alberta realized that the way out of debt was short term pain for long term gain. Cuts were required, and now times are good and the money is flowing. An NDP or Liberal government would have tried to spend their way out of the oil bust in the 80s and then once the economy started to turn around would have increased spending again. Did/Do Albertans want that? Hell no. We realize that throwing money at a problem ins't alwasy the best answer.

[Go4Gold]

Yes the Provincial and Federal governments are slightly different, and I can only hope that there is an even more seperation between the 2, also hope that Ralphie keeps grinding away at the Feds. I believe that his (Ralph Klein's) government has done an awsome job, as opposed to his predecessors, so no need to change now. But again, almost 40 years of the same government in power, I smell corruption, and when Ralphie retires, they won't get my vote.

[transplant99]

Well it's been a solid 12 hours now since it was clear that Stronach would be on the losing side once again.

I wonder if she has figured out a way to defect yet.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Well it's been a solid 12 hours now since it was clear that Stronach would be on the losing side once again.

I wonder if she has figured out a way to defect yet.

Well, if she defected then the Cons and the NDPs would have the majority needed to pass almost anything without the help of the Bloc or Libs. She may dangle that as a carrot for a new Cabinet post. However, she may instead try for the leadership of the Libs before she defects. After all, it's about getting as much power as possible.

[MarchHare]

The odds of Stronach becoming leader of the Liberals is approximately zero.